FlySafair pilot strike continues as parties head to CCMA
FlySafair has confirmed that its flights will remain at a reduced schedule due to the strike by its pilots over a wage increase.
The company and trade union Solidarity are expected to meet on Wednesday at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) to resolve the impasse.
The strike on Monday led to the cancellation of several flights at some airports countrywide as workers demanded a 10.5 % wage increase.
FlySafair operates 174 flights daily with an average of 30,000 passengers, accounting for 60% of domestic air travel.
FlySafair Chief Marketing Officer, Kirby Gordon, said the pilots are still on strike for this week.
"The pilots are still on strike and there are not 200 that have downed tools, but there are 200 that are members of the union.
"A large number of those people have returned to work. So we've got more than half of our pilots who are actively actually flying.
"It's the minority at this stage who remain on strike. That's how we are going to continue operating for the rest of the week on a reduced schedule," he added.
Solidarity, the largest union at the company, warned that disruptions could last up to two weeks.
The union’s Helgard Cronjé said there is a lack of urgency to resolve the stalemate.
“FlySafair underestimated how disruptive the lock-out would be. It is costing them too much, and the passengers are paying the price," said Cronjé
“FlySafair has indicated that they are willing to start the negotiation process only by Wednesday. As a result, thousands more passengers will be affected before FlySafair comes to the table.”
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